Texans veteran defensive end Jordan Jenkins is expected to be active Sunday against the New England Patriots after being a healthy scratch against the Buffalo Bills and the Carolina Panthers, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Signed to a two-year, $6 million contract this offseason with a maximum value of $8 million, Jenkins has played in two games this season and has two tackles with zero sacks or quarterback hits.
Jenkins played last season under a one-year, $3.75 million contract that included $3.25 million guaranteed and a $1.75 million signing bonus. He had 32 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble last season after recording a career-high eight sacks two seasons ago.
With Jenkins getting an opportunity, defensive end Charles Omenihu is expected to be inactive. A former fifth-round draft pick and Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year from the University of Texas, Omenihu has nine tackles and three quarterback hits with zero sacks this season after recording four sacks and 16 quarterback hits last season.
The Texans' defensive line is expected to have the same starters as the past two games -- Jon Greenard and Jacob Martin at defensive end and Maliek Collins and Roy Lopez -- against a depleted Patriots offensive line that has been hit by COVID positive tests and injuries.
The Patriots will have just one regular starter, center David Andrews, in the lineup with offensive guard Shaq Mason and offensive tackle Trent Brown out with injuries and Isaiah Wynn and Mike Onwenu on the reserve-COVID-19 list.
The Texans placed offensive tackle Marcus Cannon on injured reserve with a back injury, a disc issue causing discomfort, per sources, and Charlie Heck replaces him at right tackle today.
Aaron Wilson has covered the NFL for 20 seasons, including the Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars. He has previously written for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun. He’s on Twitter: @AaronWilson_NFL and Instagram: @aaronwilson7128.